Fruit Fly Trap

It is fruit fly nuisance time of year, I  have posted of this remedy before.  Add apple cider vinegar to a bowl along with a few drops of dishwashing liquid.  Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and poke some holes in it.  As you can see it works well.
 

Paint Part Friday - Sunrise Eclipse

Welcome to Paint Party Friday!  Thanks to Kristin and Eva for hosting.  I am showing the sunrise eclipse 5.40 am Thursday June 10, 2021 over Toronto.  My ACEO (21/2" x 3 1/2") is based on a photo published in the newspaper.  You cannot view eclipses without protecting your eyes even if you were up at that hour to see the sunrise.

Rain's Thursday Art Date - Musical

Welcome to Rain's Thursday Art Date! I am showing a piece I did in 2015 for Creative Tuesdays. It fits the 'musical' theme this week very well and it is a nice look back at my past art.

It is based on The 'Sound of Music' with Julie Andrews.  The piece was done in watercolour pencil (5" x 7").

Positive Jar

My name starts with the letter 'C' so I chose the positive word 'Courage', how about you?

 

Wings

I don't have a preference, but son K likes flats.

Anti-Bucket List

 If there is an 'Anti-Bucket' List of things you would never do again.

What would be on your list to never do again? 

Maybe I would never fly in a helicopter again, I got motion sickness.

Times have changed

 This in an interesting list of how we ate in the 50s.  It is (just) a bit before my time, but it is interesting to see how times have changed.

Mojitos

 My friend S dropped off some mint leaf for us and suggested we could use them in Mojito cocktails.  Husband M was happy to look up the cocktail recipe and we enjoyed them!  The recipe consists of lime juice, a spoon of sugar, and ounce and a half of white rum, soda water and of course mint leaves and lots of ice.  I like cocktails, do you?

Paint Party Friday - Faucet

 Welcome to Eva and Kristin's Paint Party Friday!  I was inspired to paint this faucet complete with running water.  It is an ACEO (2 1/2" x 3 1/2") in permanent marker.  I just used 3 shades of grey.

Rain's Thursday Art Date - Your Favourite Decade

 Welcome to Rain's Thursday Art Date.  The theme is 'Your Favourite Decade'.  Here is my ACEO (2 1/2" x 3 1/2") in permanent marker.  Can you guess that I chose the 70's?  Bell bottom pants and platform shoes were so fun and the popular colours were different.  I would have been a teenager in those days.  

Spanish Lavender

 We had an outdoor lunch at my sister-in-laws recently, although we did move inside for the main courses.  I saw this pretty Spanish lavender plant in a pot as pictured.  It is hardy from zones 6-10 but she did not have success growing one outside.  

New Oat Products

 According to this newspaper article, these new oat products have been developed and I am going to try the Becel Oat Margarine and the Bliss oat creamer by Coffeemate.  Do you have any interest in these?

A Visual Trick

 Did this work for you, it did for me.

Honey spoon

 My sister was gifted this honey spoon recently.  We didn't know how to use it and it seems you just rest it on the edge of the teacup as pictured!  Were you aware of this type of spoon? Another sister realized she had also been gifted one many years ago with a set of mugs and was happy to have this information.

Funnies

Here are some funnies for you today!

 

Paint Party Friday - Corrugated Paper Art 2

 Welcome to Eva and Kristin's Paint Party Friday!  This is corrugated paper art ACEO (2 1/2" x 3 1/2") in alcohol ink marks.  I am imagining it is a leaf patterned curtain blind.  I cut the paper from an Ovaltine biscuit package.

Rain's Thursday Art Date - Mornings

 Welcome to Rain's Thursday Art Date's 'Mornings' theme!  Here is my ACEO (2 1/2 x 3 1/2") in alcohol ink markers outlined with a Pitt pen.

Photos from a summer walk a few weeks ago

nature's flower garden

overgrown garden bed

outdoor fireplace tossed out, gone the next day

Didn't know dandelions grew this tall

 

Birthday treats

Husband M celebrated his birthday this past Canada Day July 1st.  Daughter L sent him some Cinnabon cinnamon rolls and I baked him a cake.  Well it was a vanilla cake mix with ready made frosting, but it turned out ok!
 

Brie on Toast

 This is my latest breakfast craze, grilled brie on toast, so buttery and yummy!

Annual Flowers

I got this free packet of annual flower seeds and sprinkled them in some of my pots a few months ago. When I looked at them a few weeks ago I had a pleasant surprise!  Of course, I do keep them well watered.

Good One

 Here is a funny for you today!

Paint Party Friday - Corrugated Paper Art

 Welcome to Eva and Kristin's Paint Party Friday!  I am showing corrugated paper art in an ACEO(2 1/2" x 3 /12") format in alcohol inks and permanent markers.  The paper was cut from the liner of an Ovaltine biscuit package, I am pleased with the outcome!  I am thinking it could be a view looking through sheer curtains.

Rain's Thursday Art Date - Criss Cross

 Welcome to Rain's Thursday Art Date's 'Criss Cross' theme!  I found this intriguing criss cross diamond ring design by Gabriel & Co and decided to draw several angles of it that they provided on their site for you.

Ragdoll Cat

 This is my sister-in-law's ragdoll cat.  It is the first I am hearing of this type.  They have blue eyes, pink paws and are very expensive (maybe $1000 plus delivery from wherever they live).  They are called ragdolls as they go limp when held.  Here is a short video I found of this.  It seems they are affectionate and have a dog like temperament.  Have you heard of them?

Pretty Leaf

 This pretty leaf blew onto my lawn the other day and I took a photo for you!  It is a maple leaf.

Our new kitchen is scheduled for install early next week, they are tiling the floors and getting the room prepped for the cabinets, electrical and whatever.  The washroom renos are also well underway.  I am feeling optimistic that all will go well.

My Spicy garlic eggplant

4 med japanese eggplant
2 garlic cloves minced
2 gr onions chopped
2 tbs soy sauce
1 tbs sugar
1 tbs sesame oil
1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
2 tsp sesame seeds
1/4 tsp black pepper
2tbs canola oil

Cut tops off eggplants. Cut each eggplant into 3” segments and half these lengthwise.
Steam eggplants all together for 20 mins. Meanwhile, saute garlic in 2 tbs canola oil until cooked. Add green onions, sesame seeds, sesame oil, sugar, salt, red pepper flakes, black pepper, soy sauce. Stir together for another minute.   When the eggplants are tender, mix them into the sauce. Enjoy!

 

Camellia Oil and your laugh for today

Happy July 4th to the Americans! 

So yesterday I took a photo with my phone and was alarmed as it was blurry.  I panicked and thought, how will I take more photos from now on?  Husband M came to the rescue and told me to wipe the lens it was dirty.  It worked like a charm.  Whew.  Ok, forgive me for being dumb but that's your laugh for today!

Kay spoke of this Camellia oil that her mother uses on her hair and I am thinking of getting some for myself.  It seems to have a lot of benefits for the skin and hair.  Maybe you would be interested too?

My July 2021 Calendar Page

 This is my July 2021 Calendar page.  I printed a calendar with my art, the quote I chose is

"The summer looks out from her brazen tower, through the flashing bars of July"

-Fancis Thomson

Paint Party Friday - Worker Bee

 Welcome to Paint Party Friday!  This is my 'Worker Bee' ACEO (2 1/2" x 3 1/2") on yellow poster paper cut to size using a PITT marker and permanent markers.

I learned a lot about bees with this illustration.  I looked at one anatomically first and was fascinated by all its parts, nature's wonder at work again.  Worker bees live about 45 days and if one stings you it dies.

Also bees evolved from wasps and are highly evolved on the social scale.  They collect pollen from flowers and store them quite safely on their hind legs as pictured above.  They take the pollen to the hive to help feed the Queen bee.

Rain's Thursday Art Date - Miniature

 

Welcome to Rain's Thursday Art Date's 'Miniature' theme!  I did an ACEO (2/1/2" x 3 1/2") of a Pudu Fawn, a miniature deer species.  Here is a video of one at the Edinburgh Zoo.